AAP

US stocks have finished mostly lower despite a stronger-than-expected manufactured durable goods report and a nearly 2 per cent lift from Caterpillar earnings.

The Australian share market closed half a percentage point higher as investors chased higher yielding financial stocks.

Penrice Soda chairman David Trebeck launched an angry attack on dissident shareholder London City Equities (LCE) after he survived Australia's first two strikes board spill meeting.

Clients of financial advisers will find it easier to determine if they are getting value for money under new guidelines issued by the corporate watchdog.

When people crack open a tinny on Australia Day, it could be a rosy economy that they're toasting.

The Australian share market has opened higher, with sentiment still positive after encouraging economic data from China and the United States.

Apple's shares have plunged more than 12 per cent after its earnings disappointment, but the Dow has held up in positive territory with help from airline stocks.

The Australian dollar has fallen almost half a US cent cent despite a positive reading for Chinese manufacturing.

China's manufacturing activity has reached a two-year high, according to a survey.

The Australian market closed at a 20-month peak as high yield stocks made strong gains.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says the federal government is giving infrastructure financing "serious consideration" as a Labor appointee to the Reserve Bank board calls for budget deficits to fund new road

The Australian market is flat in early trade despite strong earnings results in the US leading to overnight gains on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar is higher after weaker-than-expected national consumer price index figures and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) downgraded its economic forecast for Europe.

Buoyed by strong earnings results in the technology sector and progress in the Washington fiscal budget debate, US stocks have closed higher.

The Australian share market closed higher after BHP Billiton's production report exceeded expectations and weak inflation figures drove up high yielding stocks.

The Australian dollar has maintained a strong position after weaker-than-expected inflation data which could clear the way for a Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) rate cut.

The Australian market is higher after mining giant BHP Billiton's half-year production report exceeded expectations and following strong leads from the US.

The mining industry is worried a potential slowdown in China and is making less effort to attract the most qualified workers, a report shows.

The Australian dollar is higher, after Japan's central bank announced an expansion of its monetary stimulus plans.

US stocks have shaken off weak housing sales data and jumped on the strength of some buoyant earnings reports.

Centro Retail shareholders have overwhelmingly agreed to change the shopping centre company's name to Federation Centres as it attempts to put past problems behind it.

The former head of collapsed company Allco Finance Group, David Coe, has died while on a skiing trip in the United States.

The Australian dollar has rallied against its US counterpart after Japan's central bank announced new measures aimed at lifting the world's third largest nation economy out of a long period of defl

Rio Tinto is closing its Cape Lambert and Dampier ports in Western Australia's Pilbara region to prepare for a low-pressure weather system that could become a tropical cyclone on Wednesday.

The Australian share market has closed flat as investors gave a muted response to the Bank of Japan's plan for a more expansionary two per cent inflation target.

Businesses' enthusiasm to invest has sunk to its lowest level in at least 15 years against the back drop of a high Australian dollar and soft growth in non-mining sectors of the economy.

 A contract worker at BHP Billiton's coal mine in Indonesia has been killed, bringing production to a halt.

The Australian share market is trading marginally higher as investors wait to see if the Bank of Japan will move to stimulate the Japanese economy.

Rio Tinto had no option under Labor's Fair Work laws but to resume bargaining with the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) in Tasmania, coalition senator Simon Birmingham says.

The Australian market has opened slightly higher as investors await the outcome of a Bank of Japan policy meeting.

 Shares in Macmahon Holdings have soared more than 15 per cent after the mining contractor sealed a $1.8 billion deal with Fortescue Metals Group.

 European share prices have risen, with London hitting a near five-year high in light trading amid a public holiday in the United States, although the luxury goods sector was tarnished by a gl